Gooch Gooch, the 58 year old former England captain and opening batsman, has had his position within the national team's coaching hierarchy upgraded. Since late in 2009, Gooch has worked on a part time basis, for 100 days per year as the batting coach, but will now take up a full time role from early March, which will allow him time to work with the squad prior to the up coming series in Sri Lanka.

Gooch played in over 100 tests for his country, and is still the all time leading run scorer for England in test matches.

The appointment comes quickly after a disastrous series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against Pakistan, that saw the side defeated by 3-0, and the batsmen struggle throughout the entire 3 Tests against the Pakistan spin bowlers in conditions that certainly gave every encouragement to the slow bowlers of both teams.

The part time nature of Gooch's role, had in fact meant that he had left the team, to return to England prior to the final test of the series, when England hit their lowest point of a calamitous winter, when they found themselves dismissed for just 72 runs.

He had previously been the batting coach for his county side, Essex, but had stood down from that role in December in order to allow him to spend more time focusing on his role with the national team.

His extended contract will allow him, not only to work with the test team, but also with all other centrally contracted players, along with all other players who are selected for the various national squads.

Former Surrey and England left handed batsman will continue as the lead batting coach for the English Cricket Board (ECB), which entails his working with England's second string (England Lions), as well as the young players identified as having test match potential on the England Performance Programme (EPP).

The ECB hoping that the two former test batsmen, will ensure that there will be a smooth and structured transition for young players between the EPP and the test team.